Tape drive apparatus, tape extraction apparatus and tape cassette

ABSTRACT

The invention proposes a tape drive apparatus, tape extraction apparatus and tape cartridge that enable a reliable chucking and chucking release, and a stable carrying of a tape being extracted from a cartridge. The invention is constituted by a magnetically recording/reproducing apparatus; a cartridge mount mechanism  5  whereon a tape cartridge  4  with the magnetic tape T wound therein is mounted; a takeup reel  3  to wind up magnetic T thereon; a leader block  12  attached to one end of the magnetic tape T with a rotation restriction section provided thereon; a chucking mechanism  14  which comprises a chucking pin  27  that restricts the rotation of the leader block and chucks the leader block  12,  chucking and releasing chucking of the leader block  12;  a carrying mechanism  11  which comprises the carrying section  13  for carrying the chucked leader block  12;  a chucking release levers  33  and  34  which releases chucking of the chucking mechanism  14,  which is actuated by cams  35  and  36  provided on the carrying section  13  and disposed on both ends of the cam groove  19  for guiding the movement of the leader block  12;  and reel motors  53 C and  53 T including frequency generators  52 C and  52 T for rotationally driving the tape reel  410  within the tape cartridge  4  and the takeup reel  3,  respectively.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tape drive apparatus, tape extractionapparatus and tape cartridge, in which a magnetic tape being used as arecording medium is extracted from a tape cartridge and carried to bewound onto a takeup reel provided within a drive unit such thatinformation is recorded and/or reproduced on the magnetic tape.

BACKGROUND ART

The tape drive apparatus that uses a single reel tape cartridge has beenin existence. While the existing single reel tape cartridge may be smalland convenient for the user to handle or carry it, the cartridgerequires, when mounted on the tape drive apparatus, that the tape beextracted from its cartridge and wound onto a takeup reel which isprovided within the drive unit.

To meet the requirements, the existing tape drive apparatus comprises atakeup reel having a leader tape within the drive unit. The leader tapecomprises a hook at its end. On the other hand, the magnetic tape storedin the tape cartridge comprises a hole to be hooked at its end. When thetape cartridge is mounted on the tape drive to load the tape, the takeupreal is actuated, and the end of the leader tape moves through a guidegroove provided in the drive unit until the end of the leader tapeprotrudes from the end of the groove, where the hook at the end of theleader tape vertically faces the hook hole at the end the magnetic tapeheld immediately above the leader tape. With the hook and hole in thisrelationship, a hammer provided at the end of the guide groove kicks theend of the leader tape upward, causing the hook hole at the end of themagnetic tape to engage the hook at the end of the leader tape.Subsequently, the takeup reel rotates to wind the leader tape, therebyextracting the magnetic tape from the tape cartridge.

The above-described tape drive apparatus is conventionally constitutedsuch that, the end of the leader tape attached to the takeup reel in thedrive unit moves through the guide groove to meet the magnetic tape andhook it to be connected, in order to extract the magnetic tape from thetape cartridge. However, the leader tape, being a flexible resin film,cannot move smoothly and stably to fetch the magnetic tape, and theleader tape also shakes as its hook end vertically faces the hook holeof the end of the magnetic tape, rendering the mutually facingrelationship between the hook and hole unstable, and frequentlyresulting in errors in engaging. On an error in engaging, no secondattempt is available, and the tape cartridge must be removed once andremounted at the expense of time and effort.

A human contact or other forms of mechanical shock given to the driveapparatus while carrying the leader tape to the takeup reel may causethe ends of the leader tape and the magnetic tape to unhook from eachother.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in the light of the aforementionedproblems. The object of the invention is to offer a tape driveapparatus, tape extraction apparatus and tape cartridge that allow atape to be extracted from its cartridge, to be carried and wound up ontoa takeup reel stably and reliably, and that detect a chucking error andbreakage of the tape during the extraction and carrying; and enableanother attempt at chucking operation to be conducted.

The invention according to claim 1 is a tape drive apparatus whichcomprises a carrying mechanism for extracting a tape used as a recordingmedium from a cartridge that stores the tape, and for carrying the tapeto be wound onto a takeup reel provided in a drive unit, in whichinformation is recorded and/or reproduced onto the tape that isextracted from the cartridge. Specifically, the tape drive apparatuscomprises the carrying mechanism comprising a carrying section providedat the end of the tape for engaging a leader block, and for carrying theengaged leader block between the cartridge and the takeup reel, and achucking mechanism that engages or release engagement with the leaderblock in conjunction with the movement of the carrying section.

In the invention according to claim 1, on extracting the magnetic tapeout of its cartridge, the tape is carried to the takeup reel in thedrive unit stably and reliably by the carrying section, after thechucking mechanism, provided in the carrying mechanism for carrying thetape, engaging the leader block, provided at the end of the magnetictape, and then the tape is transferred to the takeup reel by engagingthe leader block onto a designated point on the takeup reel, as a resultthe tape is reliably wound onto the takeup reel as the leader block isreleased the engagement from the chucking mechanism.

The invention according to Claim 2 is the tape drive apparatus accordingto Claim 1, in which the carrying section of the carrying mechanismcauses the chucking mechanism to move along a cam groove disposedbetween the cartridge mount end and the takeup reel.

In the invention according to Claim 2, the chucking mechanism in thecarrying mechanism, which carries the leader block of the magnetic tape,allows a stable and reliable move of the leader block between thecartridge mounting side and the takeup reel.

The invention according to Claim 3 is the tape drive apparatus accordingto Claim 1, in which the chucking mechanism comprises a chucking pinthat is normally forced in the direction of being engaged with theleader block and is pressed by release levers disposed on the cartridgemounting side and the takeup reel side to release chucking.

In the invention according to Claim 3, since the chucking pin, which isengaged with the leader block, is normally forced in the direction ofbeing engaged with the leader block, the chucking pin is able to bereliably engaged to hold the leader block, and carry the leader blockstably and reliably; and is also able to reliably release the leaderblock on the cartridge mounting side and the takeup reel side by thereleasing lever.

The invention according to Claim 4 is the tape drive apparatus accordingto Claim 1, in which the action of chucking and the release of chuckingof the chucking mechanism is effected by a cam mechanism to engage with,and release engagement with the leader block in coordination with themove of the carrying section.

In the invention according to Claim 4, since the action of the chuckingmechanism is conducted by the use of a cam mechanism, it is possible tomake the action of chucking and the release of chucking simple, stableand reliable.

The invention according to Claim 5 is a tape drive apparatus, comprisinga tape carrying mechanism for extracting a magnetic tape, used as arecording medium, from the cartridge where the tape is stored; and forcarrying the magnetic tape to be wound up onto a takeup reel provided inthe drive unit, in which information is recorded and/or reproduced ontothe magnetic tape extracted from the cartridge. The carrying mechanismcomprises: a carrying section for engaging a leader block provided atthe end of the magnetic tape to carry the leader block between thecartridge and the takeup reel; a detection means for detecting thestatus of engaging the leader block on the carrying mechanism; and acontrol means for controlling the carrying section to re-attempt toengage with the leader block according to the detected result of thedetection means.

In the tape drive apparatus according to Claim 5 of the invention, thecontrol means controls the carrying section to re-attempt to engage theleader block depending on the detected result of the status of engagingbetween the leader block provided at the end of the tape stored in thecartridge and the carrying section of the carrying mechanism whichcarries the tape, thereby ensuring engaging between the leader block andcarrying section. As a result, stable and reliable carrying of the tapebetween the cartridge and takeup reel is conducted.

The invention according to Claim 6 is the tape drive apparatus accordingto Claim 5, in which the detection means is constituted by a chuckingsensor that detects the status of the leader block being chucked by thechucking mechanism.

In the invention according to Claim 6, since the chucking status of thechucking mechanism for the leader block is detected by the chuckingsensor, chucking the leader block is reliably conducted.

The invention according to Claim 7 is the tape drive apparatus accordingto Claim 5, in which a takeup reel and a tape reel of the cartridge aredriven by the respective reel motors comprising frequency generatorsrespectively; and outputs of the frequency generators are detectedeither as normal or not normal to verify the carrying status of amagnetic tape.

In the invention according to Claim 7, since the tape drive apparatuscomprises frequency generators in the reel motors that drive the takeupreel and the tape reel of the cartridge to verify the carrying status ofthe magnetic tape by detecting the outputs from the frequencygenerators, the carrying status of a magnetic tape is verified quicklyand reliably.

The invention according to Claim 8 is a tape extraction apparatus,comprising: a cartridge mount mechanism for mounting a tape cartridgewith a magnetic tape wound thereon; a takeup mechanism for winding up amagnetic tape extracted from the tape cartridge; and a carryingmechanism. The carrying mechanism includes: a tape extraction memberhaving a press section forced in the direction of engaging the leaderblock with an unlocking prevention piece formed protruding externallythereon for preventing the releasing of the engagement with the leaderblock provided on the magnetic tape, in which engaging the leader blockis released by pressing down the press section; a guide shaft thatguides the move of the move mechanism disposed between the cartridgemount mechanism and the takeup reel; and a guide plate disposed alongthe carrying path of the tape extraction member, and the carryingmechanism carries the tape extraction member with the leader blockengaged thereto. In the above described tape extraction apparatus, thetape extraction member carries the tape by extending the unlockingprevention piece over the guide plate formed into a protrusion.

In the invention according to Claim 8, the tape extraction member guidedby a guide groove is carried with the unlocking prevention piece formedon the press section extending over a guide plate formed as a protrusionover the guide groove. Therefore, in the tape extraction member, theguide plate prevents the unlocking prevention member provided in thepress section from pressing down, when the tape extraction membercarries the leader block with the magnetic tape clamped thereon, eventhough such impact as being touched by the user is given, therebypreventing releasing the engagement with the leader block occurred bypressing the press section.

The invention according to Claim 9 is a tape extraction apparatus,comprising: a takeup mechanism that winds up a tape extraction memberhaving a engaging shaft with a flange disposed on one end for beingengaged by a engaging section of the leader block disposed on one end ofthe magnetic tape and the magnetic tape extracted by the tape extractionmember; a carrying mechanism that carries the tape extraction memberbetween a cartridge mounted at a cartridge mount section and the takeupmechanism, in which a chamfered section engaging the rotationrestriction section disposed on the engaging section of the leader blockis provided on the flange section formed on a engaging shaft of theextraction member.

In the invention according to Claim 9, the disposition of the chamferedsection that engages with the rotation restriction section of theengaging section of the leader block at one end of the magnetic tape inthe flange of the engaging shaft of the tape extraction member, enablesthe engaging shaft to be inserted into the engaging section of theleader block, allowing the chamfered section of the flange section ofthe engaging shaft to butt against the rotation restriction section ofthe internal perimeter of the engaging section of the leader block toengage. Accordingly, the position of the leader block for engaging withthe tape extraction mechanism is determined, thereby preventing therotation or rattling of the leader block while being carried.

The invention according to Claim 10 is a tape cartridge, comprising: aleader block provided at one end of a magnetic tape; a tape reel thatwinds up the magnetic tape with the leader block provided at one end;and a body of the cartridge unit that rotatably stores the tape reelhaving an opening that exposes part of the leader block externally, inwhich the leader block comprising: a engaging section thereon to which aengaging shaft of the tape extraction member is engaged; and a rotationrestriction section, which restricts the rotation of the leader blockwith respect to the engaging shaft, disposed on at least one end of theengaging section.

In the invention according Claim 10, the leader block disposed at oneend of the magnetic tape comprises the engaging section, to which theengaging shaft of the tape extraction member is engaged, and a rotationrestriction section that prevents the rotation of the engaging shaft isformed on the engaging section, allowing the position of the leaderblock for engaging with the tape extraction mechanism to be determinedat the time of engaging with the tape extraction mechanism, therebypreventing the rotation or rattling of the leader block to extract themagnetic tape from the body of the cartridge stably and smoothly.

The invention according to Claim 11 is the tape cartridge according toClaim 10, in which the leader block comprises a positioning groovedisposed thereon for guiding the insertion thereof into the cartridgeunit, and also for positioning thereof.

In the invention according to Claim 11, the disposition of thepositioning groove on the leader block, which also functions as a guidefor the insertion of the leader block into a cartridge unit, allows theleader block to be smoothly inserted, and also reliably positioned to beheld at a designated position in the cartridge unit.

The invention according to Claim 12 is the tape cartridge according toClaim 10, in which the leader block comprises a positioning groovedisposed thereon for guiding the insertion thereof into the takeup reel,and also for positioning thereof.

In the invention according to Claim 12, the disposition on the leaderblock of the positioning groove, which also functions as the guide forthe insertion of the leader block into a takeup reel, allows the leaderblock to be smoothly inserted and also reliably positioned to be held ata designated position on the takeup reel.

The invention according to Claim 13 is the tape cartridge according toClaim 10, in which the leader block comprises an engaging depressionsection disposed thereon to be engaged with an engaging protrusionsection disposed on a leader block press piece of the tape cartridge.

In the invention according to Claim 13, when the leader block isinserted into the tape cartridge, the engaging protrusion section of thepress piece on the tape cartridge is engaged with the engagingdepression section of the leader block, thereby holding the leader blockstably and reliably in the cartridge.

The invention according to Claim 14 is the tape cartridge according toClaim 10, in which the leader block comprises an engaging depressionsection disposed thereon to be engaged with an engaging protrusionsection disposed on the takeup reel.

In the invention according to Claim 14, when the leader block isinserted into the takeup reel, the engaging protrusion section of thetakeup reel is engaged with the engaging depression section of theleader block, thereby holding the leader block stably and reliably onthe takeup reel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partly omitted plan view of an example of a tape driveapparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a major section of the tape driveapparatus of FIG. 1, showing a leader block in a chucked status;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a major section of the tape driveapparatus of FIG. 1, showing the leader block in a released state fromchucking;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of a carryingmechanism of the tape drive apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the carrying section of the tapedrive apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view showing the leader block in the releasedstate from chucking;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view showing the leader block in the releasedstate from chucking;

FIG. 8 is the perspective view showing the upper surface of the leaderblock;

FIG. 9 is the perspective view showing the bottom surface of the leaderblock;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a slide plate with a press sectionof a tape extraction member being forced upward;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the slide plate with the presssection of the tape extraction member being pushed downward;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a tape cartridge applied to thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the upper surface of the tapecartridge applied to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of the tapecartridge applied to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a shutter section and reel lock ofthe tape cartridge applied to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the tape cartridge, which iswrongly inserted into the drive unit, applied to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a partial upper surface of the tapeextraction hole in the tape cartridge applied to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the reel lock.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the cartridge with the tape reel engagedwith the reel lock;

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the cartridge without the tape reelengaged with the reel lock;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge mount mechanism;

FIG. 22 is a perspective rear view of the cartridge mount mechanism;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a plate with a reel driverestriction plate that is drawn close by the sliding of the slide plate;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a drive circuit for the tape driveapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart explaining the loading action of the tape driveapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing a continuation of the flow chart shownin FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart explaining the unloading action of the tapedrive apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, describing ageneral constitution of a helical scan tape drive apparatus. The figureshows the tape drive apparatus in its horizontal position, however, thetape drive apparatus may be placed to operate in vertical or any otherpositions.

In FIG. 1, numeral 1 denotes an entire tape drive apparatus. The tapedrive apparatus 1 comprises a rotating magnetic head apparatus on a basechassis 1 a for recording/reproducing information by sliding over and incontact with a magnetic tape, and a drum 2 of the rotating magnetic headapparatus is disposed between a takeup reel 3 and a cartridge mountmechanism 5 for a tape cartridge 4 housing a magnetic tape T. Guidepaths 7 a and 7 b for respective loading pins 6 a and 6 b whichconstitute a tape loading mechanism are formed on both sides of the drum2, forming a tape path a from the cartridge mount mechanism 5 throughthe takeup reel 3. The tape path a is a path of the magnetic tape,pulled out of the tape cartridge 4 inside the cartridge mount mechanism5 by a tape-carrying mechanism, and loaded on the drum 2 in anapproximate figure of letter M, and lead to the takeup reel 3. The drum2 comprises at least a fixed drum and another drum rotating against thefixed drum. The rotating drum comprises a magnetic head thatrecords/reproduces information signals on the magnetic tape T.

The takeup reel 3 that winds up the magnetic tape T has an insertionslot formed from part of the reel perimeter to the reel center forinserting the later explained leader block with the magnetic tape Tclamped thereon. When the leader block is inserted through the insertionslot, the magnetic tape T is wound up by the rotation of the takeup reel3 driven by the later explained drive mechanism.

A carrying mechanism 11 is disposed between the cartridge mountmechanism 5 and the takeup reel 3 for extracting the magnetic tape T outof the tape cartridge 4 mounted in cartridge mount section 5, as shownin FIGS. 1 through 5, and winding up on the takeup reel 3. Theaforementioned carrying mechanism 11 comprises: a carrying section 13for engaging the leader block attached to an end of the magnetic tape Thoused in the tape cartridge 4 to carry the leader block between thetape cartridge 4 and the takeup reel 3, and a chucking mechanism 14 forengaging with, or releasing the engagement from a leader block 12 inconjunction with the movement of the carrying section 13.

The carrying section 13 of the carrying mechanism 11 comprises: amovable base 18 that is movably supported by a guide shaft 16 of anapproximately round rod extended over one side of the top surface of abase plate 15; in this embodiment between the base cartridge mountsection 5 end and the takeup reel 3 end on the outboard side; and aguide rail 17 of an approximately channel-like cross section formedparallel with the guide shaft 16 along the other side of the topsurface; in this embodiment inboard side. The carrying section 13 of thecarrying mechanism 11 further comprises a slide plate 20 that slides inconjunction with the movable base 18 over the bottom surface of the baseplate 15, and along a guide groove 15 a formed on the base plate 15straddling between the cartridge mount mechanism 5 end and the takeupreel 3 end, conforming to the tape path around the drum 2.

The movable base 18 of the carrying section 13 of the carrying mechanism11 is supported by the guide shaft 16 passing through bearings 21 a and21 b fit into risers 18 a and 18 b formed on both sides of the outboardend of the movable base 18, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; and is supportedby the guide rail 17 where a slide bar 22 formed with a smooth resin orother material and fixed on the movable base 18, is inserted in theapproximately channel-like groove of the guide rail 17. The slide plate20 is slidably fit in a guide rail 23 comprising a cam groove 19 fixedon the bottom surface of the base plate 15 and in conformance with theguide groove 15 a, and is supported by a press member 24 pressed againstthe bottom surface of the guide rail 23, as shown in FIG. 4. On the endwhere the takeup reel 3 is disposed, a stopper groove plate 23 a isfixed in sequence.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the cam groove 19 is formed from theproximity of the tape extraction hole in the tape cartridge 4 mounted onthe cartridge mount section 5 toward the center of the takeup reel 3,passing in the proximity of the drum 2 on the guide rail 23. The guidegroove 15 a is formed on the base plate 15, corresponding to the camgroove 19. The cam groove 19 is disposed in a manner of being sandwichedvertically between the movable base 18 of the carrying section 13 andthe slide plate 20, where the slide plate 20 is guided by the guide rail23, as shown in FIG. 5.

The guide rail 17 comprises, as shown in FIG. 5, a guide section 17 acorresponding to the guide groove 15 a, which guides the movement of themovable base 18. The guide section 17 a is comprised of the guide rail17 which is formed as uprising on the top surface of the base plate 15and is bent into an approximately reversed-C shape, and the base plate15. The slide bar 22 of the movable base 18 fits and freely slides inthe movable base 18. The guide rail 17 that comprises the guide section17 a is, to be specific, protrudes along the guide groove 15 a in theinward direction on the base plate 15.

A chucking member 25 of the chucking mechanism 14 of the leader block 12is attached to the slide plate 20 of the carrying section 13, as shownin FIGS. 6, 7, 10 and 11. The chucking member 25 is configured to benormally forced to slide upward, as shown in FIGS. 7, 10 and 11, by aforcing member, for instance, a compression coil spring mounted withinan outer cylindrical body 26 fixed on the bottom surface of the slideplate 20, with a chucking pin 27 slidably inserted in the axialdirection of the cylindrical body 26.

The chucking member 25, which is inserted through the slide plate 20 andchucks the leader block 12, comprises the outer cylindrical body 26; thechucking pin 27 that is inserted into the outer cylindrical body 26 andengages with the leader block 12; and an unlocking prevention plate 27 athat is formed at the end of the chucking pin 27 and prevents the leaderblock 12 from being released from the engagement, as shown in FIGS. 6,7, 10 and 11.

The outer cylindrical body 26 is inserted through a plate section 20 aof slide plate 20, and comprises, on the bottom surface of the plate 20a, the guide groove 15 a formed on the base plate 15, and a flangesection 26 a that is slidably fit to the guide rail 23 by being insertedtherethrough.

The chucking pin 27 is configured to be normally forced to slide upward,as shown in FIG. 10, by a forcing member, for instance, a compressioncoil spring, mounted within the outer cylindrical body 26, slidablyinserted in the axial direction of the outer cylindrical body 26.

The chucking pin 27 comprises on its lower end an engaging flange 28that associates with the lower engaging section of the leader block 12.The engaging flange 28 comprises a notch 28 a as shown in FIGS. 6 and10. The chucking pin 27 also comprises a support section 29 at the topend thereof, and the support section 29 comprises a press section 29 aat the top end thereof. The press section 29 a, in the upwardly pressedstate of the chucking member 25, is inserted through the cam groove 19and the guide groove 15 a, and into a guide groove 30 of the movablebase 18, which is formed perpendicular to the guide groove 15 a of thebase plate 15 of the carrying mechanism 11; and the press section 29 aprotrudes out of the top surface thereof. The unlocking prevention plate27 a is formed as extended on top of the press section 29 a. Theunlocking prevention plate 27 a is formed of an approximately flat-plateshaped member, and when the press section 29 a is projected on the topsurface of the movable base 18, projects out over the guide rail 17formed on the base plate 15. Consequently, even if a pressure is exertedon the press section 29 a during the carrying of the leader block 12,the unlocking prevention plate 27 a is in contact with the top surfaceof the guide rail 17, and prevents the chucking pin 27 from being pusheddown by the press section 29 a, thereby preventing the leader block 12from being unengaged.

The depressed chucking pin 27 of the chucking member 25 extendsdownward, as shown in FIG. 11, and enables the chucking member 25 to beinserted into the engaging part of the leader block 12. Upon insertioninto the engaging part of the leader block 12, the chucking pin 27contracts upward as the press section 29 a springs back, causing theengaging flange 28 to associate with the positioning step on the leaderblock 12, thereby engaging with the leader block 12. At this time, thenotch 28 a formed on the engaging flange 28, of the chucking pin 27comes in contact with the rotation restriction section formed on thepositioning step. The position of the leader block 12 that is engagedwith the chucking member 25 is determined, while the chucking member 25prevents the leader block 12 from moving freely or becoming unengaged.

The chucking member 25, being inserted in the guide groove 30 of themovable base 18, is moved between the cartridge mount mechanism 5 andthe takeup reel 3 along the guide groove 15 a and the cam groove 19 inconjunction with the movement of the movable base 18.

As the press section 29 a is pressed against press surfaces 33 a and 34a of chucking release levers 33 and 34, the chucking member 25 is forceddownward and inserted into an the engaging section 12 a of the leaderblock 12, whereupon a bottom surface 26 b of the outer cylindrical body26 is supported by the upper engaging step of the leader block 12, andthe engaging flange 28 of the chucking pin 27 is supported by the lowerengaging step thereof, simultaneously. The chucking member 25, nowrelieved of the force of the chucking release levers 33 and 34, isforced upward by the force of the forcing member mounted in the outercylindrical body 26, thereby engaging with the leader block 12. At thistime, the chucking pin 27 prevents the leader block 12 from freelymoving during the carrying, by butting the anti rotation notch formed onthe flange 28 against the rotation restriction section of the leaderblock 12.

The chucking member 25, engaged with the leader block 12, is unengagedtherefrom, when the press surfaces 33 a and 34 a of the chucking releaselevers 33 and 34 press on the press section 29 a, and consequently thechucking member 25 is forced downward, thereby ejecting the flange 28from the positioning step of chucking pin 27 and releasing theengagement with the leader block 12.

At the time of the insertion of a cartridge, the aforementioned carryingmechanism 11 is in the stand-by status as described below.

As a roller 37 of the chucking release lever 33, which is one of thechucking levers on the base plate 15, rides on a cam 35 of the carryingsection 13, the press surface 33 a disposed at the end of a lever, isforced downward. The press surface 33 a is forced downward, so that thepress section 29 a, disposed at the end of the chucking member 25 ispressed downward, also forcing the flange 28 of the chucking pin 27downward.

Subsequently, as the chucking pin 27 is inserted into the engaging partof the leader block 12, a movable section 13 starts moving over to thetakeup reel 3 side, thereby relieving the force on the chucking releaselever 33 and the chucking pin 27 engaging with the leader block 12. Atthis time, the chucking pin 27 prevents the free movement of the leaderblock 12 as the notch 28 a formed on the engaging flange 28 and arotation restriction section 12 e formed at the positioning step of theleader block 12 come in contact with each other.

Subsequently, the leader block 12, engaged with the chucking pin 27, ismoved to the takeup reel 3 end together with the slide plate 20 by themovement of the carrying section 13 to the takeup reel 3 side.

When the carrying section 13 of the carrying mechanism 11 approaches thetakeup reel 3, a roller 38 of the chucking release lever 34 provided onthe base plate 15 rides on a cam 36, thereby forcing the press surface34 a at the end of the lever downward. Consequently, the flange 28 ofthe chucking pin 27 is ejected from a positioning step 12 d of theleader block 12, thereby releasing the engagement with the leader block12.

The base plate 15 comprises the chucking release levers 33 and 34thereon, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, for releasing the engagement ofthe chucking member 25 with the leader block 12. The chucking releaselevers 33 and 34 comprise the press surfaces 33 a and 34 a, which presson the press section 29 a of the chucking pin 27 of the chucking member25, and the each of levers are supported in a see-saw fashion by a pivoton the base plate 15, in which the press surfaces 33 a and 34 a providedat the ends of the levers are forced upward by a spring member orothers. The chucking release levers 33 and 34 include the rollers 37 and38, provided on the other end of the levers on the movable base 18,which ride up on the cams 35 and 36. As the roller 37 and 38 ride up onthe cams 35 and 36, the press surfaces 33 a and 34 a of the chuckingrelease levers 33 and 34 respectively are forced in the directionindicated by arrow G in FIG. 2, thereby pressing on the press section 29a of the chucking member 25 down and releasing the engagement of thechucking member 25 with the leader block 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the carrying mechanism 11, which isdisposed on the base plate 15, freely movable, for carrying the chuckingmember 25 with the leader block 12 engaged with it, between the tapecartridge 4 and the takeup reel 3, comprises: the carrying section 13,which moves on the base plate 15, guided by the guide shaft 16 disposedon the base plate 15, and the slide plate 20, through which the chuckingmember 25 is inserted, which slides in conjunction with the movement ofthe carrying section 13 by means of the base plate 15. In the carryingmechanism 11, the press section 29 a provided on the end of the chuckingmember 25, and inserted and held by the slide plate 20 is insertedfreely movable to the guide groove 30 formed on the carrying section 13,and the carrying section 13 and the slide plate 20 are provided by meansof the guide groove 15 a on the base plate 15 and the cam groove 19.

The carrying mechanism 11 moving between the cartridge mount mechanism 5and the takeup reel 3 on the base plate 15 comprises: the movable base18, which comprises thereon the guide groove 30 with the chucking member25 inserted therethrough, freely movable; a pair of rotation guides 31and 32 provided on the movable base 18, which guide the chucking member25 along the guide groove 30; and the cams 35 and 36, which push up therollers 37 and 36 of the chucking release levers 33 and 34.

The guide groove 30, through which the chucking member 25 is inserted,is formed on the movable base 18 for guiding the movement of thechucking member 25, and formed perpendicular to the direction of themovement of the movable base 18; and comprises branch-groove sections 30a and 30 b set in the moving direction of the movable base plate 18. Theguide groove 30 guides the chucking member 25 into the branch groovesection 30 a or 30 b when the movable section 13 moves near thecartridge mount mechanism 5 or the takeup reel 3, thereby enabling thechucking release levers 33 and 34 to press on the press section 29 a ofthe chucking member 25.

The rotation guides 31 and 32, which guide the chucking member 25 alongthe guide groove 30, comprise: guide surfaces 31 a and 32 a that come incontact with the press section 29 a of the chucking member 25; andstopper arm 31 b and 32 b that restrict the rotation of the rotationguides 31 and 32. The rotation guides 31 and 32 close up thebranch-groove sections 30 a and 30 b, as the guide surfaces 31 a and 32a are normally forced to the guide groove 30 side by a coil spring orthe like, causing the stopper arms 31 b and 32 b to butt against stoppersurfaces 18 c and 18 d, which are formed as protrusions on the baseplate 18. The carrying section 13 approaching close to the cartridgemount mechanism 5 or the takeup reel 3 presses and rotates the guidesurfaces 31 a and 32 a of the rotation guides 31 and 32 against thechucking member 25, which is guided by the guide groove 30, causing thebranch groove 30 a and 30 b to open to the chucking member 25 The cams35 and 36, which push down the press surfaces 33 a and 34 a of thechucking release levers 33 and 34, comprise inclined surfaces, whichallow the roller 37 and 38 of the respective chucking release levers 33and 34 to ride up thereon. The carrying section 13 approaching close toa chucking release lever causes the roller 37 and 38 to ride up theinclined surfaces onto the cams 35 and 36. The upwardly pressed rollers37 and 38, which have ridden up onto the cams 35 and 36, force the presssurfaces 33 a and 34 a, provided at the end of the chucking releaselevers 33 and 34, into the direction of arrow G as shown in FIG. 2,thereby causing the chucking release levers 33 and 34 to depress thepress section 29 a of the chucking member 25 downward.

The carrying section 13 of the carrying mechanism 11 is connectedthrough a supporting member 40 to a timing belt 42 of a drive mechanism41. The timing belt 42 of the drive mechanism 41 is driven to cause thecarrying section 13 of the carrying mechanism 11 moving between thecartridge mount mechanism 5 end and the other end where the takeup reel3 is provided to move.

The drive mechanism 41 is designed such that a motor M_(L) for movingthe leader block shown in FIG. 1 causes a gear mechanism 43 to drive,thereby rotating the timing belt 42. The drive mechanism 41 iscontrolled by the supporting member 40 of the movable base 18 respondingto position sensors 44 and 45 disposed on the cartridge mount mechanism5 end and on the other end where the takeup reel 3 is installed on thebase plate 15.

The slide plate 20, which carries the leader block 12 in conjunctionwith the movement of the carrying section 13 of the carrying mechanism11, comprises the approximately rectangular plate section 20 a, as shownin FIGS. 2, 10 and 11, through which the chucking member 25 is insertedfor chucking the leader block 12. The plate section 20 a comprises, onthe bottom surface side thereof, a pressing member 24 shaped as aflange; and the pressing member 24 is installed in a position on thebase plate 15 such as to slide freely along the guide groove 15 a andthe guide rail 23 on the rear surface side of the base plate 15.

The tape cartridge 4, in which the magnetic tape T carried by the tapecarrying mechanism 11 configured as described above is reeled in,comprises: as shown in FIG. 12, a cartridge unit 401, which is one pairof top and bottom halves 403 and 404 butted together; a tape reel 410 onwhich the magnetic tape T is wound up to be stored in the cartridge unit401; and a reel lock 411 which prevents free movement of the tape reel410 when the tape cartridge 4 is not in use, and not mounted on thedrive apparatus 1. When the tape cartridge 4 is inserted into thecartridge mount mechanism 5 of the drive apparatus 1, the reel lock 411is released the engagement with the tape reel 410, and the leader block12 with magnetic T clamped thereon is pulled out by the tape carryingmechanism 11 on the drive apparatus 1 end to be directed to the takeupreel 3 within the drive apparatus 1 and is wound up onto the takeup reel3, thereby the tape T being run.

The top and bottom halves 403 and 404 constituting the cartridge unit401 formed of ABS resin or other synthetic resin, are formed into anapproximately rectangular shape by an injection molding or other method,as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. The top and bottom halves 403 and 404are formed in such size that allows the tape reel 410 to store andpermit free rotation of the magnetic tape T therein, when the cartridgeunit 401 is assembled. The top and bottom halves 403 and 404 compriserising walls 406 and 407 built therearound, when the top and bottomhalves 403 and 404 are butted together and constitute an external wall405. The top and bottom halves 403 and 404 further comprise anapproximately arc-shape partition forming walls 422 a, which forms apartition wall 422 in the cartridge 401 when the top and bottom halves403 and 404 are butted together, internally in contact with the risingwalls 406 and 407. When the top and bottom halves 403 and 404 are buttedtogether to assemble the cartridge unit 401, a tape reel storing section423 which contains the tape reel 410 is formed with the external wall405 and partition wall 422.

A reel-lock release member entry groove 408, into which a reel-lockrelease member 517 placed on the cartridge mount mechanism 5 end isdirected, is formed from the end of a drive apparatus insertion sidesurface 402 a to one side surface 402 b, on an external wall 405 of thecartridge unit 401. The reel-lock release member entry groove 408 isformed by cutting a groove of an approximately channel-shaped crosssection in a side surface of the top half 403 or bottom half 404, and inthe direction of the side surface 402 b, with the end thereof open onthe drive unit insertion end. The reel-lock release member entry groove408 comprises a shutter-installation hole 408 a with the bottom surfaceside thereof being cut out in approximately rectangular shape fordisposing a movable shutter 412 (to be described later) therein.

The reel lock 411, which prevents the free movement of the tape reel 410(to be described later), is disposed in the proximity of the reel-lockrelease member entry groove 408. The reel-lock release member entrygroove 408 is closed out by the shutter 412, which is disposed withinthe cartridge unit 401 and prevents the interior of the cartridge unit401 from being exposed to the outside. Upon the insertion of the tapecartridge 4 into the cartridge mount mechanism 5, the reel-lock releasemember entry groove 408 allows the reel-lock release member 517, whichunlocks the tape reel 410 by pressing on the reel lock 411 through theshutter 412 provided on the cartridge mount mechanism 5 end, to bedirected into the groove 408.

The reel-lock release member entry groove 408, being formed either onthe top half 403 or on the bottom half 404, is therefore formed eitheron the top or bottom end of the thickness of the cartridge unit 401. Asshown in FIG. 16, this prevents the tape cartridge 4 from being insertedall the way into the loading position, even if the cartridge 401 isinserted upside down during the insertion into the cartridge mountmechanism 5 of the drive apparatus 1, since the reel-lock release member517, provided inside the drive unit to meet the reel-lock release memberentry groove 408, hits the external wall 405 of the cartridge unit 401.

The shutter member 412, which is disposed in the reel-lock releasemember entry groove 408 and prevents dust and the like from entering thecartridge 401, comprises: a shutter 412 a, which is formed in anapproximately flat-plate shape, as shown in FIG. 15 and prevents dustand other entries; a first press section 412 b provided on one end ofthe shutter 412 a, which is pressed on by the reel-lock release member517 on the cartridge mount mechanism 5 side; and a second press section412 d provided through the first press section 412 b and a connectingsection 412 c, which presses on the reel lock 411.

The shutter member 412 is supported, free to move, with a shutter-guidegroove 413, which is formed on one side surface 402 b, corresponding tothe reel-lock release member entry groove 408 of the top half 403 orbottom half 404, as shown in FIG. 15. The shutter member 412 isinstalled, supported by the shutter guide groove 413, with the shutter412 a being disposed on the side surface 402 b end of theshutter-installation hole 408 a, while the first press section 412 b isdisposed on the side surface which is on the cartridge mount mechanism 5end. Thus, the shutter-installation hole 408 a in the reel-lock releasemember entry groove 408 is closed, thereby closing the cartridge unit401 from the outside.

The second press section 412 d of the shutter member 412 is in contactwith the press shaft of the reel lock 411 (to be described later). Thesecond press section 412 d of the shutter member 412 is pressed by theforce of a twisted coil spring, which applies a force on the reel lock411, in the direction of arrow A, in FIG. 15, to close up the cartridgeunit 401 normally.

When the tape cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mount mechanism5 of the drive apparatus 1, the reel-lock release member 517 provided onthe cartridge mount mechanism 5 end, enters through the reel-lockrelease member entry groove 408, and presses on the first press section412 b, thereby pressing shutter member 412 in the opposite direction toarrow A, shown in FIG. 15, against the force exerted by the twisted coilspring of the reel lock 411. This causes the press shaft of the reellock 411, which is in contact with the second press section 412 d, to bepressed in the opposite direction to arrow A, shown in the figure, torelease the lock of the tape reel.

When the tape cartridge 4 is ejected out of the cartridge mountmechanism 5 of the drive apparatus 1, the second press section 412 d ofthe shutter member 412 is pressed in the direction of arrow A, shown inFIG. 15, by the force exerted by the twisted coil spring of the reellock 411, thereby closing up the reel-lock release member entry groove408 of the cartridge unit 401.

As heretofore described, the shutter member 412 always closes up thecartridge unit 401 while the tape cartridge 4 is not used and notinserted into the cartridge mount mechanism 5 of the drive apparatus 1,thereby preventing the magnetic tape T from being soiled and damaged bydust and others which enters into the cartridge unit 401, and alsopreventing the deterioration of recording/reproducing characteristics ofthe magnetic tape T.

As shown in FIG. 12, a tape extraction hole 415 from which the magnetictape T is extracted, is formed on the external wall 405. The tapeextraction hole 415 is formed by cutting notches on the other end of thedrive apparatus insertion side surface 402 a of the top and bottomhalves 403 and 404 and butting the notches together. On the tapeextraction hole 415, the leader block 12, with the other end of themagnetic tape T clamped to the interior thereof, is engaged and facingoutward.

The tape extraction hole 415 comprises a leader block press piece 416 onthe top half 403 as shown in FIG. 17. The leader block press piece 416comprises a engaging protrusion section 416 a formed thereon, whichengages with a engaging depression section 12 h formed on the topsurface of the leader block 12. As the leader block 12 is stopped in thetape extraction hole 415, the engaging protrusion 416 a and engagingdepression 12 h are engaged together, resulting in determination of aposition of the leader block 12, and preventing the rattling of theleader block 12 stored in the tape extraction hole 415.

A bottom plate 418 of the lower half 404 comprises a reel driveinsertion hole 419 formed at approximate center thereof, for theinsertion of a reel drive that rotates the tape reel 410 of the driveapparatus end.

The tape reel 410, where the magnetic tape T is reeled in, rotatablyhoused inside a tape reel housing 423 of the cartridge unit 401,comprises a reel hub 424, which reels in the magnetic tape T, and a pairof reel flanges 425 and 426, which are installed on both sides of thereel hub 424, as shown in FIG. 12.

One end of the magnetic tape T is attached to the reel hub 424. The reelhub 424 comprises, on the bottom surface thereof, an engaging section430, which engages with the drive shaft of the drive apparatus 1. Theengaging section 430 is exposed to the outside from the reel driveinsertion entrance 419. As the tape cartridge 4 is inserted into thecartridge mount mechanism 5, the engaging section 430 is engaged with areel drive of a reel rotation mechanism provided on the cartridge mountmechanism 5 end, thereby being driven to rotate.

The reel flanges 425 and 426, formed at the top and bottom ends of thereel hub 424, restrict the position where the magnetic tape T reeledonto the reel hub 424, is to be wound. The reel flanges 425 and 426 areformed into an approximately round disc shape, as shown in FIG. 12, withjoining pins inserted through the top and bottom surfaces of the reelhub and bonded in place by heat-caulking. At least the top reel flange425 comprises meshing teeth 427 a formed on the external perimeterthereof, which mesh with the reel lock 411 to become a restrictingsection 427 restricting the free movement of the tape reel 410, as shownin FIG. 15. The meshing teeth 427 a of the restricting section 427,which mesh with the reel lock 411, are formed at constant intervals allaround the perimeter of the top reel flange 425.

The reel lock 411, which restricts the free movement of the tape reel410 by meshing with meshing teeth 427 a, comprise: a lock 434, whichcomprises a restricting protrusion 433 that meshes with meshing teeth427 a, a twisted coil spring 435 which forces the lock 434 to the tapereel 410 end, and a support shaft 436 which is inserted through the lock434 and twisted coil spring 435 to rotatably support the lock 434 andtwisted coil spring 435, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 18.

The lock 434 comprises: a restricting arm 437, on which the restrictingprotrusion 433 is formed to mesh with the meshing teeth 427 a of therestricting section 427; a rotation plate 438, which is integrallyformed on the bottom surface of the restricting arm 437; and a pressshaft 439, which is disposed at the end of the rotation plate 438 andwhich comes in contact with the second press section 412 d of theshutter member 412 disposed inside the reel-lock release member entrygroove 408. The restricting protrusion 433 comprises a plurality ofteeth formed on it, which protrude toward the top reel flange 425, andare disposed such as to be capable of meshing with the teeth 427 a ofthe restricting section 427, formed on the external perimeter of the topreel flange 425, when brought close to the tape reel 410 end. Therestricting arm 437 comprises a through hole formed on the arm base endthereof for passing the support shaft 436. The rotation plate 438, whichis integrally formed with a rotation section 441 on the bottom side ofthe rotation section 441, is extended over to the end where thereel-lock release member entry groove 408 is provided, and comprises thepress shaft 439 protruding at the end thereof. Here, the press shaft 439is in contact with the second press section 412 d of the shutter member412, which is disposed on the reel-lock release member entry groove 408of the cartridge unit 401; conveys the force of the twisted coil spring435 to the shutter member 412; and conveys the pressure from thereel-lock release member 417 to the lock 434 through the shutter member412 when the tape cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mountmechanism 5, thereby releasing the lock of the tape reel 410.

The twisted coil spring 435 disposed at the bottom of the lock 434,which forces the lock 434 toward the tape reel 410 end, comprises thesupport shaft 436 inserted through the through hole in the centerthereof, and one end of the twisted spring is engaged to stop by aholding piece 442 formed on the inside of the side surface 402 b of thecartridge unit, while the other end of which is engaged to stop by therestricting arm 437 of the lock 434. The foregoing arrangement keeps thetwisted coil spring 435 normally forcing the restricting arm 437 of thelock 434 toward the tape reel 410 end, causing therestricting-protrusion section 433 to mesh with the meshing teeth 427,thereby preventing the free movement of the tape reel 410; andsimultaneously, forcing the press shaft 439 protruding at the end of therotation plate toward the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 15.Consequently, the press shaft 439 presses on the second press section412 d of the shutter member 412, keeping the cartridge unit 401 normallyclosed.

The support shaft 436, which rotatably supports the rotation section 441of the lock 434 and twisted coil spring 435 by passing through them,comprises: a base 443 provided in the bottom half of the cartridge unitand a through shaft 444, which projects from the base 443 and passesthrough the through hole in the rotation section 441 and twisted coilspring 435. The base 443 comprises an approximately round column, whosediameter is approximately the same as or larger than that of theinsertion holes in the rotation section 441 and twisted coil spring 435,stably supporting the lock 434 and twisted coil spring 435, which areinserted into the through shaft 444. The base 443 is formed as high asto position the restricting-protrusion section 433 of the lock 434opposite to the meshing teeth 427 of the restricting section 427 formedaround the top reel flange 425.

The reel lock 411, configured as heretofore described, is disposedwithin the cartridge unit 401, where the twisted coil spring 435 is heldby the holding piece 442 formed on the inside of the side surface 402 bof the cartridge unit 401 and by the restricting arm 437 of the lock434, and normally forces the lock 434 to the tape reel 410 end, as shownin FIG. 19, to restrict the free movement of the tape reel 410.

When the tape cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mount mechanism5, the reel-lock release member 517 provided on the cartridge mountmechanism 5 end, presses on the first press section 412 b of the shuttermember 412; and the second press section 412 d presses on the pressshaft 439, thereby forcing the reel lock 411 in the opposite directionto arrow A, shown in FIG. 15, and the rotation lock 434 being rotated inthe direction of B, shown in FIG. 15, against the force of the twistedcoil spring 435. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 20, the restrictingprotrusion section 433 of the reel lock 411 is released from the meshingteeth 427 a of the top reel flange 425, allowing the tape reel 410 torotate.

The reel-lock release member 517 mounted in the tape cartridge mountmechanism 5 is always forcing the press shaft 439, through the shuttermember 412, in the opposite direction to arrow A, shown in FIG. 15, whenthe tape cartridge 4 is mounted in the tape cartridge mount mechanism 5.Therefore, the reel lock 411 is maintained in the rotated position inthe direction of arrow B, also shown in FIG. 15. Consequently, the tapereel 410 is always rendered rotatably free.

When the tape cartridge 4 is ejected from the cartridge mount mechanism5, the reel-lock release member 517 retreats out of the cartridge unit401, relieving the force imposed on the reel lock 411 toward the pressshaft 439, but allowing the force of the twisted coil spring 435 toforce the lock 434 toward the tape reel 410 end. Consequently, therestricting protrusion section 433 of the lock 434 in the reel rock 411meshes with the meshing teeth 427 a of the top reel flange 425, therebypreventing the free movement of the tape reel 410.

Various information signals, such as audio signals, video signals, datafor computer processing, and other information signals are recorded onthe magnetic tape T, which is wound onto the tape reel 410. TheAforementioned leader block 12, which is held by the chucking member 25of the tape carrying mechanism 11 within the drive apparatus 1 to beguided to the takeup reel end, is attached to the end of the magnetictape T, which is wound onto the tape reel 410.

The leader block 12 comprises: the engaging section 12 a, to whichchucking pin, projecting downward from the outer cylindrical body of thechucking member 25 and the outer cylindrical body 26, is inserted; a topside engaging step 12 b, which is formed on the top side of the engagingsection 12 a and to which the bottom surface of the outer cylindricalbody is engaged; and a bottom side engaging step 12 c, which is formedon the bottom side of the engaging section 12 a and to which the flange28 of the chucking pin 27 is engaged, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the engaging section 12 a and the top andbottom side engaging steps 12 b and 12 c comprise a butting section inan approximate letter C shape formed thereon, against which the bottomsurface 26 b of the outer cylindrical body 26 and the flange 28 of thechucking pin 27 are butted. The leader block 12 is engaged with thechucking member 25 by butting the chucking pin 27 against the engagingsection 12 a and top- and bottom-side engaging steps 12 b and 12 c.Consequently, the position of the leader block 12 is determined, therebypreventing the leader block 12 from rotating and rattling during beingcarried.

The topside engaging step 12 b comprises a positioning section 12 b ₁formed thereon, which corresponds to a tapered surface 26 c formed onthe bottom side of the outer cylinder 26 of the chucking member 25.Positioning section 12 b ₁ is formed as an inclined surface from thetopside engaging step 12 b to the engaging section 12 a. When the leaderblock 12 is engaged with the chucking member 25, the positioning section12 b ₁ comes in contact with the tapered surface that is formed on thechucking pin 27. Consequently, the leader block 12 is reliably engagedwith the chucking pin 27.

The leader block 12 comprises the positioning step 12 d, where theflange 28 formed on the chucking pin 27 comes in contact with, formedbetween the engaging section 12 a and bottom side engaging step 12 c.The positioning step 12 d comprises: a butting section in an approximateshape of letter C; and the rotation restriction section 12 e formed onpart of internal perimeter thereof, which restricts the rotation of theleader block 12 and is provided corresponding to the anti-rotation notch18 formed on the flange 28 of the chucking pin 27, which is part of thebutting section. The rotation restriction section 12 e is formed in abow-string like shape as a whole on part of the butting section which isin a bow-like shape. The notch 28 a, formed also in a bow-string likeshape, on the flange 28 of the chucking pin 27 butts against therotation restriction section 12 e. The positioning step 12 d comprises apositioning section 12 d formed with an inclined surface, provided tocorrespond to the flange 28 of the chucking pin 27. The positioningsection 12 d faces the flange 28 of the chucking pin 27 when the leaderblock 12 engages with the chucking member 25. Consequently, a positionof the leader block 12 is determined when the chucking member 25 ischucked, thereby preventing the leader block from rotating and rattlingduring being carried.

The leader block 12 comprises positioning grooves 12 f and 12 g, whichare formed at both ends of the bottom surface thereof for allowing thepositioning thereof while engaged with the cartridge unit 401 or thedrive apparatus 1. The positioning grooves 12 f and 12 g allow thepositioning of the leader block 12 within the cartridge 4 and driveapparatus 1 by guiding the leader block 12 to the positioning protrusionprovided within the cartridge unit 401 and drive apparatus 1. Thepositioning groove 12 f, which is formed at the rear end of the bottomsurface of the leader block 12, comprises a depressed groove in anapproximately rectangular shape, running from the approximate center ofthe rear surface of the leader block 12 to the proximity of the bottomside engaging step 12 c on the bottom surface of the leader block 12.The positioning groove 12 f opens wider in a funnel shape at the openingthereof formed on the rear surface, while the tip end thereof is formedinto a sharp point. The positioning groove 12 g, which is formed at thefront end of the bottom surface of the leader block 12, comprises adepressed groove in an approximately rectangular shape, running from theapproximate center of the front surface of the leader block 12 to theproximity of the bottom side engaging step 12 c on the bottom surface ofthe leader block 12. The positioning groove 12 g also opens wider in afunnel shape at the opening thereof formed on the rear surface, whilethe tip end thereof is formed into a sharp point, as in the foregoingpositioning groove 12 f. Consequently, the positioning grooves 12 f and12 g are easily guided to the positioning protrusion through the widenedopening end, and by letting the sharply shaped positioning protrusionsbutt against the sharply formed tip section, thereby the position of theleader block 12 being determined reliably.

The leader block 12 further comprises engaging depressions 12 h and 12 iformed on the top surface thereof, as shown in FIG. 8, for positioningthereof when engaged with the cartridge 4 or the drive apparatus 1. Theengaging depression 12 h, formed at the rear end section of the leaderblock 12, engages with the protrusion 416, provided on the top surfaceside of the tape extraction hole 415 of the cartridge 4, shown in FIG.17, when the leader block 12 is engaged with the cartridge unit 401.This enables the positioning of the leader block 12 within the cartridge4 and prevents rattling thereof. After the leader block 12 is set in thedrive apparatus 1, the engaging depression 12 i, which is formed at thefront end of the leader block 12, is engaged with an engaging protrusion(not shown in the figure) provided on the takeup reel 3 inside the driveapparatus 1. This enables the positioning of the leader block 12 withinthe drive apparatus 1 and prevents rattling thereof.

The cartridge mount mechanism 5, into which the tape cartridge 4constituted as heretofore described is mounted, and which loads andunloads the tape cartridge 4, is disposed on the base chassis 1 a of thetape drive apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as shown in FIGS.21 through 23, the cartridge mount mechanism 5 comprises: a flame 501 onwhich the tape cartridge 4 inserted through the cartridge insertion slotinto the tape drive apparatus 1, is mounted; a reel drive restrictionplate 502, which restricts the vertical movement of a reel drive 510, towhich the tape reel 410 of the tape cartridge 4, mounted on the flame501, is rotatably engaged; a slide plate 503, which keeps the reel driverestriction plate 502 and a tape reel 410 at a close distance from eachother; and a top plate 504, which is disposed at the top of the flame501 and inserts and removes the tape cartridge 4.

The flame 501, on which the tape cartridge 4 is mounted, is constructedof a metal plate bent into an approximate letter C shape, and comprisesa bottom plate 511 which constitutes the cartridge mounting section; andside plates 512 and 513 which are formed rising on the right and leftends of the bottom plate 511. The bottom plate 511 comprises an opening514 formed on approximately center thereof, which corresponds to thereel drive section insertion hole 419 formed on the bottom surface ofthe cartridge 401, through which the reel drive 510, the height thereofbeing restricted by the reel drive restriction plate 502 (to bedescribed later), is inserted. The bottom plate 511 further comprisesinsertion holes 515 and 516, through which an identification protrusion552, provided on the reel drive restriction plate 502 for identifyingthe category or the like of the tape cartridge 4, is inserted; andpositioning holes 518 and 519 formed thereon, through which positioningprotrusions 553, provided on the reel drive restriction plate 502, isinserted to determine the position of the cartridge unit 401.

The side plates 512 and 513, formed rising up on the right and left sideof the bottom plate 511, are formed as approximately high as thecartridge unit 401, and comprise stopper pieces 520 formed at the endthereof that opposes to the insertion slot for the tape cartridge 4, tostop the side surface 402 a of the cartridge unit 401.

The side plates 512 and 513 comprise bent sections 521 and 522, whichare in approximate letter L shape, formed in the longitudinal direction.Pinions 524 for moving the slide plate 503 (to be described later), isdisposed on the bent sections 521 and 522 of the side plates 512 and 513respectively at an approximate center of each side in the longitudinaldirection. The pinions 524 are attached to both ends of a rotation shaft525 that spans the side plates 512 and 513. The Pinion 524 meshes with arack gear 530, formed on the slide plate 503, and as the rotation shaft525 is rotated, moves the slide plate 503 in the direction of, oropposite direction to arrow D, shown in FIG. 21.

The side plate 512 further comprises the reel-lock release member 517formed thereon at the position which corresponds to the reel-lockrelease member entry groove 408, which is formed along the side surface402 a of the insertion end and one side surface 402 b, of the cartridgeunit 401, as shown in FIG. 22. The insertion of the tape cartridge 4into the flame 501 of the cartridge mount mechanism 5 causes thereel-lock release member 517 to enter the reel-lock release member entrygroove 408 of the cartridge unit 401 and to come into contact with thefirst press section 412 b of the shutter member 412. This causes thereel-lock release member 517 to press the shutter member 412 in theopposite direction to arrow A, shown in FIG. 15, and force the reel lock411 to rotate in the direction of arrow B, shown in FIG. 15, as thecartridge unit 401 proceeds into the flame 501. Consequently, mountingof the tape cartridge 4 on the flame 501 releases the lock on the reellock 411, thereby freeing the tape reel 410 to rotate.

The side plate 513 comprises a cartridge locking member 528 disposedthereon, which holds the tape cartridge 4 within the cartridge mountmechanism 5. The cartridge locking member 528 comprises: anapproximately hook shaped engaging section 528 a, with an inclinedsurface formed on the end into which the tape cartridge 4 is inserted; alock arm 528 b that turns the engaging section 528 a between the insideand outside of the flame 501; a support protrusion 528 c which supportsthe lock arm 528 b being able to turn; and a turning pin 528 d extendingdownward out of the lock arm 528 b, which turns the lock arm 528 b. Thelock arm 528 b is always forced by a twisted coil spring disposed on thesupport protrusion 528 c to turn in the direction of arrow E, shown inFIG. 20, to turn the engaging section 528 a into the flame 501. As thetape cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mount mechanism 5, aside of the tape cartridge 4 pushes the engaging section 528 a of thecartridge locking member 528 out of the flame 501. As soon as the tapecartridge 4 is mounted in the predetermined position on the plate, theengaging section 528 a engages with a engaging depression formed on theside of the tape cartridge 4. This causes the approximately hook-shapedengaging section 528 a of the cartridge locking member 528 to engagewith the engaging depression on the tape cartridge 4, thereby holdingthe tape cartridge 4 inside the cartridge mount mechanism 5. When thetape cartridge 4 is ejected out of the cartridge mount mechanism 5, theturning pin 528 d of the cartridge locking member 528 is pushed by aturning member (not shown), provided within the drive apparatus 1; thelock arm 528 b is turned in the opposite direction to arrow E, shown inFIG. 21, against the force exerted by the twisted coil spring; and theengaging section 528 a is ejected out of the engaging depression of thetape cartridge 4. Consequently, the tape cartridge 4, mounted on thecartridge mount mechanism 5, is able to be ejected out of the cartridgemount mechanism 5.

The reel drive restriction plate 502, which is disposed on the bottomside of the flame 501, and restricts the height of the reel drive 510that engages with the tape cartridge 4, is constituted with a metalplate, or the like, bent into an approximate channel shape, as shown inFIG. 21. The reel drive restriction plate 502 comprises an opening 529 awhich is formed at an approximate center of a main surface 529 thereof,and through which the reel drive 510 protrudes for engaging with theengaging section 430 that is disposed on the base chassis 1 a and formedon the bottom side of the tape reel 410. Side surface sections 531 and532, formed as risen on the right and left on the main surface 529,comprise slide protrusions 535 and 536 which are inserted in a slidegroove 534 formed on the slide plate 503. The reel drive restrictionplate 502 is disposed to externally sandwich the side plates 512 and513, as shown in FIG. 23, and also to face the reel drive 510 out of theopening 514 of the flame 501.

The reel drive 510, which meshes with the engaging section 430 formed onthe bottom side of the tape reel 410, is constituted with a cylinder ofan approximately equal diameter as a reel hub 424 of the tape reel 410,and comprises a plurality of protrusions and depressions that arecapable of meshing with the engaging section 430. The reel drive 510 isdisposed on the base chassis 1 a and protrudes out of the opening 529 aof the reel drive restriction plate 502. The reel drive 510 is forcedupward for engaging with the engaging section 430 of the tape reel 410;engaged with the main surface 529 of the reel drive restriction plate502; and the height of protrusion thereof over the bottom plate 511 ofthe flame 501 is restricted. The reel drive 510 is rotationally drivenby a drive motor (to be described later) and rotates the tape reel 410,which is meshed with the reel drive 510.

The slide protrusions 535 and 536, formed on the side surfaces 531 and532, is inserted through the slide groove 534, formed on the slide plate503 and slides along the inclined surface of the slide groove 534 toposition the reel drive restriction plate 502 close to, or distant fromthe flame 501. Consequently, the reel drive restriction plate 502restricts the height of the reel drive 510 to the height of the tapereel 410, and causes the reel drive 510 to mesh with, or release fromthe reel hub 424.

The slide plate 503, which positions the reel drive restriction plate502 close to, or distant from the flame 501, comprises: the slide groove534, through which the slide protrusions 535 and 536 of the reel driverestriction plate 502 pass through; and a rack gear 526 which mesheswith the pinions 524 disposed on both of the side plates 512 and 513.The slide plate 503 is disposed on the outside of the side plates 531and 532 of the reel drive restriction plate 502.

The slide groove 534, through which the slide protrusions 535 and 536 ofthe reel drive restriction plate 502 pass, is formed in the longitudinaldirection of the side surface sections 531 and 532 of the reel driverestriction plate 502; and comprises an inclined surface 538 formedthereon, that is inclined upward toward the end where the tape cartridge4 is inserted. The protrusions 535 and 536 of the reel drive restrictionplate 502 are inserted and move through the slide groove 534. The slideprotrusions 535 and 536 that slide in the slide groove 534 climb up theinclined surface 538 of the slide groove 534 as the slide plate 503slides in the direction of arrow D, shown in FIG. 23, bringing the reeldrive restriction plate 502 closer to the frame. Consequently, the reeldrive restriction plate 502 causes the reel drive 510, which is forcedupward, to mesh with the reel hub 424 of the tape reel 410 mounted onthe flame 501. At this time, since the reel drive restriction plate 502is moved above the reel drive 510 which is now meshed with the reel hub424, the reel drive 510 is rendered rotatable.

The rack gear 526, which meshes with the pinion 524 disposed on theflame 501, is formed on the top surface side of the slide plate 503. Therack gear 526 is driven by the pinion 524, moving the slide plate 503 inthe direction of, or opposite direction to arrow D, shown in FIG. 21, soas to slide up and down the slide protrusions 535 and 536 that areinserted in the slide groove 534. Thus the reel drive restriction plate502 is able to restrict the up-and-down movements of the reel drive 510.

The top plate 504, which is disposed on the top surface side of theflame 501, comprises: a top plate section 542 and a force plate 543,which is disposed on the top plate section 542 and forces the tapecartridge 4, mounted on the flame 501, in the direction of beingejected. The top plate 504 is screwed on the bent sections 521 and 522that are formed on the side plates 512 and 513 of the flame 501.

The force plate 543, which ejects the tape cartridge 4 from thecartridge mount mechanism 5, comprises a guide groove 546 formed in thedirection of inserting or ejecting the tape cartridge 4, where a guide547, projecting out of the top plate section 542, is inserted. One endof a tensioning coil spring 548, which constitutes the forcing memberthat forces the force plate 543 toward the insertion end of the tapecartridge 4, is engaged with the force plate 543 near the guide groove546. The tensioning coil spring 548, with the other end thereof engagedwith the top plate section 542, normally forces the force plate 543 inthe direction of ejecting the tape cartridge 4, which is the directionof arrow F shown in FIG. 21. Additionally, the force plate 543 comprisesa moving guide 550 disposed, free to move, to be extended on a movingdepression section 549 formed in an approximate channel shape on the topplate section 542, which guides the movement of the force plate 543. Themoving guide 550 comprises a bumping plate 550 a formed by bendingthereof toward the flame 501 end, against which the end surface 402 a onthe insertion end of the cartridge unit 401 butts. The bumping plate 550a is normally forced in the direction of arrow F, shown in FIG. 21, forejecting the tape cartridge 4 out of the cartridge mount mechanism 5 dueto the force of the tensioning coil spring 548 acting on the force plate543.

The insertion of the tape cartridge 4 into the flame 501 causes the sidesurface 402 a of the insertion end of the cartridge unit 401 to applypressure to the bumping plate 550 a, thereby causing the moving guide550 of the force plate 543 to move the depression section 549 of the topplate section 542 in the opposite direction to arrow F, shown in FIG.21. Consequently, the force plate 543 moves along the guide groove 546,in the opposite direction to arrow F, shown in FIG. 21, against theforce of the tensioning coil spring 548. The force plate 543 is forcedand held in the opposite direction to arrow F, shown in FIG. 21, as thetape cartridge 4 is held in the flame 501 by the cartridge lockingmember 528 of the flame 501. A mounting sensor 551, disposed on the topplate section 542, detects the completion of mounting of the tapecartridge 4 on the flame 501 as the force plate 543 is forced in theopposite direction to arrow F.

As the locking of the cartridge unit 401 by the cartridge locking member528 is released, the force of the tension coil spring 548 of the forceplate 543 causes the bumping plate to force the cartridge unit 401toward the insertion slot end of the tape drive apparatus 1, therebyejecting the tape cartridge 4 out of the cartridge mount mechanism 5.

In the cartridge mount mechanism 5, as constituted in the foregoingmanner, prior to the insertion of the tape cartridge 4 into the flame501, the slide protrusions 535 and 536 of the reel drive restrictionplate 502 are positioned at the bottom end of the slide groove 534 ofthe slide plate 503, and the reel drive 510 is retracted below theopening 514 of the flame 501 by the main surface 529 of the reel driverestriction plate 502. The engaging section 528 a of the cartridge lockmember 528, formed on the side plate 513 of the flame 501, is forced toturn into the interior of the flame 501.

Subsequently, in the cartridge mount mechanism 5, when the tapecartridge 4 is inserted into the flame 501, the bumping plate 550 a ispressed by the side surface 402 a of the insertion end of the tape thecartridge unit 401, causing the force plate 543 forced in the directionof ejecting the tape cartridge 4 against the force of the tension coilspring 548 to move in the opposite direction to arrow F, shown in FIG.21. This enables the mounting sensor 551 provided on the top platesection 542 of the top plate 501 to detect the mounting of the tapecartridge 4 into the flame 501. At this moment, the inclined surface ofthe engaging section 528 a of the cartridge locking member 528, providedon the side plate 513 of the flame 501, is pressed against the sidesurface of the cartridge unit 401 and forced to turn in the oppositedirection to arrow E, shown in FIG. 21. When the tape cartridge 4 isfinally mounted in the predetermined position on the flame 501, theengaging section 528 a engages with the engaging depression formed onthe side surface of the cartridge unit 401, thereby holding the tapecartridge 4 within the cartridge mount mechanism 5.

At this moment, the reel-lock release member 517 enters the reel-lockrelease member entry groove 408 in the tape cartridge 4, and presses thereel lock 411 through the shutter 412, thereby unlocking the tape reel410.

When the mounting sensor 551 detects the mounting of the tape cartridge4, a motor (to be described later) drives the rotation shaft 525 thatspans between the side plates 512 and 513 of the flame 501, and theslide plate 503 moves in the direction of arrow D, shown in FIGS. 21 and23. As this occurs, the slide protrusions 535 and 536 of the reel driverestriction plate 502, being inserted into the slide groove 534 of theslide plate 503 as shown in FIG. 23, climb up the inclined surface 538of the slide groove 534; and the reel drive restriction plate 502 movesclose to the flame 501. This causes the reel drive 510, having beenretracted out of the flame 501 by the main surface 529 of the reel driverestriction plate 502, to protrude out of the opening 514 in the flame501 and mashes with the reel hub of the tape reel 410. Theidentification protrusion 552, which is disposed on the reel driverestriction plate 502 for identifying the category and the like of thetape cartridge, and the positioning protrusion 553, which is for thepositioning of the cartridge unit 401, protrude out of the insertionholes 515 and 516 and the positioning holes 518 and 519, respectively,and enter detection holes and positioning holes (not shown) that areprovided on the bottom surface of the cartridge unit 401.

When the cartridge 4 is ejected out of the cartridge mount mechanism 5,a motor drives the rotation shaft 525, moving the slide plate 503 in theopposite direction to arrow D, shown in FIG. 21 and 23. Subsequently,the slide protrusions 535 and 536 of the reel drive restriction plate502 inserted through the slide groove 534 of the slide plate 503, movedown on the inclined surface 538; and the reel drive restriction plate502 moves away from the flame 501. This causes the reel drive 510, onwhich the main surface 529 of the reel drive restriction plate 502 ispressed, to be unmeshed from the reel hub 424 of the tape reel 410.Additionally, the identification protrusions 552 and positioningprotrusions 553, disposed on the reel drive restriction plate 502 areretracted from the insertion holes 515 and 516 and positioning holes 518and 519 of the flame 501, respectively, and from the cartridge unit 401.Furthermore a turning member (not shown) pushes the turning pin 528 d ofthe cartridge locking member 528; turns the turning pin 528 d of thelock arm 528 b in the opposite direction to arrow E, shown in FIG. 21,against the force of the twisted coil spring; and ejects the engagingsection 528 a out of the engaging depression on the tape cartridge 4.This allows the force of the tension coil spring 548 engaged with theforce plate 543 to press the tape cartridge 4 mounted on the flame 501,against the bumping plate 550 a, thereby ejecting cartridge 4 out of thecartridge mount mechanism 5.

The ejection of the tape cartridge 4 out of the cartridge mountmechanism 5 causes reel lock release mechanism 517 to retract from thereel lock unlocking member entry groove 408, the reel lock 411 mesheswith the tape reel 410, thereby restricting the free movement of thetape reel 410. Additionally, the press shaft of the reel lock 411 of thetape cartridge 4 presses on, and moves the shutter 412 of the tapecartridge 4 in the direction of arrow A, shown in FIG. 15, therebyclosing the shutter hole 408 a in the reel-lock release member entrygroove 408, and preventing the cartridge unit 401 from being entered bydust and others, while not in use.

The workings of the drive apparatus 1 will be described as follows. Uponthe insertion of the tape cartridge 4 into the cartridge mount mechanism5, the cartridge 401 is mounted within the frame 501, as the cartridge401 presses the bumper plate 550 a of the force plate 543, which isprovided on the top plate 504. The displacement of the force plate 543in the opposite direction to arrow F, shown in FIG. 22, enables themounting sensor 551, disposed on the top plate section 542, to detectthe tape cartridge 4 having been mounted within the flame 501. At thistime, the cartridge locking member 528, disposed on the side wall 513 ofthe flame 501, engages with the engaging depression on the cartridgeunit 401, thereby holding the cartridge unit 401 within the flame 501.Additionally, the reel-lock release member 517, formed on the side wall513 of the flame 501, enters the reel-lock release member entry groove408, formed on the cartridge unit 401, to press on the shutter 412,which has kept the cartridge unit 401 closed, thereby turning the reellock 411 to unlock the tape reel 410 in the direction of arrow B, inFIG. 15.

When the mounting sensor 511 detects the tape cartridge 4 mounted, therotation shaft 525, spanning across the flame 501, is rotationallydriven by the drive mechanism, and the slide plate 503 moves in thedirection of arrow D, shown in FIG. 21. This causes the slideprotrusions 535 and 536 of the reel drive restriction plate 502 to climbup along the slide groove 534 of the slide plate 503 and to move closeto the flame 501. The movement of the reel drive restriction plate 502being close to the flame 501 causes the reel drive 510 to mesh with thetape reel 410, and also causes the identification protrusions 552 andpositioning protrusions 553 of the reel drive restriction plate 502 tobe inserted into the cartridge 401.

When the chucking member 25 is inserted into the engaging section 12 aof the leader block 12, the motor ML starts moving the carrying section13 of the carrying mechanism 11 to the takeup reel 3 end. At this point,the force pressing the chucking member 25 toward the press section 29 ais relieved; the chucking pin 27 springs back upward, as shown in FIG.7; and the flange 28 engages with the leader block 12, as the flange 28is inserted into the positioning step 12 d of the leader block 12, andthe notch 28 a formed on the flange 28, is butted against the rotationrestriction section 12 e.

In the process of carrying the carrying section 13 of the carryingmechanism 11 to the takeup reel 3 end, an unintended depression of thepress section 29 a that would result in releasing the engagement of theleader block 12 with the chucking member 25 is prevented, since theunlocking prevention plate 27 a, formed on the press section 29 a of thechucking member 25, extends over the guide section 17 a, protrudingalong the guide groove 15 a of the base plate 15. Because notch 28 aformed on the engaging flange 28 of the chucking pin 27 butts againstthe rotation restriction section 12 e of the leader block 12,positioning of the leader block 12 is executed to prevent the freemovement thereof.

When the carrying section 13 is moved to the takeup reel 3 and theleader block 12 is inserted into the reel center through the insertionhole, the chucking release lever 34 releases the engagement of thechucking member 25 with the leader block 12.

Subsequently, the magnetic tape T, disposed between the tape cartridge 4and the takeup reel 3, is guided by the loading pins 6 a and 6 bprovided on both sides of the drum 2 of the rotating magnetic headapparatus, and is brought to slide around the drum 2 of the rotatingmagnetic head apparatus in an approximate configuration of a letter M.

Likewise on rewinding the magnetic tape T, the magnetic tape T isrewound into the cartridge 401, as the leader block 12 is engaged withthe chucking member 25 and the carrying section 13 of carrying mechanism11 is moved. Here, when the leader block 12 is stored into the cartridgeunit 401, the positioning protrusion and engaging protrusion 416 formedin the cartridge unit 401, engage with the positioning groove 12 f andengaging depression 12 h formed on the leader block 12, respectively, toeffect the positioning of the leader block 12 within the cartridge unit401 and prevent rattling.

When the tape cartridge 4 is ejected out of drive apparatus 1, therotation shaft 525, spanning across the side plates 512 and 513 of theflame 501, is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and the slideplate 503 moves in the direction of arrow D, shown in FIGS. 21 and 23.This causes the slide protrusions 535 and 536 of the reel driverestriction plate 502, inserted in the slide groove 534, to slide downthe inclined surface 538 of the slide groove 534, causing the reel driverestriction plate 502 to move away from the flame 501, and the reeldrive 510, protruding out of the main surface 529 of the reel driverestriction plate 502, to retract from the tape reel 401. Theidentification protrusions 552 and positioning protrusions 553 alsoretract from the interior of the cartridge unit 401.

Subsequently, as the turning pin 528 d of the cartridge locking member528 is pushed by a turning member (not shown), the lock arm 528 b isturned against the force of the twisted coil spring in the directionopposite to arrow E, shown in FIG. 21, and the engaging section 528 a isejected from the engaging depression of the tape cartridge 4.Consequently, the tape cartridge 4 mounted in the flame 501, is pushedagainst the bumping plate 550 a by the force of the tension coil spring548, which is engaged with the force plate 543, and is ejected out ofthe cartridge mount mechanism 5.

The ejection of the tape cartridge 4 out of the cartridge mountmechanism 5 causes the reel-lock release member 517 to retract from thereel-lock release member entry groove 408, thereby the shutter 412 ofthe tape cartridge 4 closing the shutter hole 408 a and preventing dustand others from entering into the cartridge unit 401, andsimultaneously, preventing the free movement of the tape reel 410 withthe reel lock 411 being engaged, while not in use.

In the tape drive apparatus 1, constituted as heretofore described, thetakeup reel 3, the reel of the tape cartridge 4 mounted in the cartridgemount mechanism 5, and tape the carrying mechanism 11 are controlled anddriven by a drive circuit 51, as shown in FIG. 24 Specifically, thetakeup reel 3 and the tape reel 410 of the tape cartridge 4 are drivenby reel motors 53T and 53C that comprise frequency generators (FG) 52Tand 52C, respectively. The takeup reel 3 end comprises a reel angledetecting sensor 54, while the cartridge mount mechanism 5 end comprisesa cartridge in-out detecting sensor (eject sensor) 55, from whichrespective output signals thereof are input to a central processing unit(CPU) 56 along with the output signals from the above described positionsensors 44 and 45. The CPU 56 also receives the output signals of FG 52Tand 52C. Motor drivers 57T and 57C for the reel motors 53T and 53C,respectively, are connected to the CPU 56, and the CPU 56 is connectedto an external host computer 59 acting as a display means through aninterface 58. The tape carrying mechanism 11 comprises chucking sensors61 and 62 on the takeup reel 3 end and the cartridge mount section 5 endrespectively.

With reference to FIGS. 25 through 27, control action of the tape driveapparatus 1 that is constituted as described above will be explained.First, the workings of a tape loading process will be explained withreference to FIGS. 25 and 26.

The tape loading process starts upon the mounting of the cartridge 4 onthe cartridge mount section. As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 9 and others,the bottom half section of the chucking pin 27, which is pushed down bythe external cylinder 26 of the chucking member 25 and chucking releaselever 33 in the chucking mechanism 14, is inserted into the engagingsection 12 a of the leader block 12, which is attached to the end of thetape T, from the side opening of the engaging section 12 a. As shown inFIG. 6, the chucking pin 27 is forced upward as the downward forcethereon is relieved, and the engaging flange 28 is then engaged with thepositioning step 12 d of the bottom side engaging step 12 c, and theleader block 12 is chucked (step S₁). The chucked status is detected bythe chuck sensor 62 (step S₂), and when the chucked status is “Yes”, thereel lock 12 is carried (step S₃). When the chucking pin 27 is in thestatus of chucking the leader block 12, the notch 28 a of the engagingflange 28 engages with the flat surface 12 e of the positioning step 12d to prevent any unwanted rotation. If the chucked status is a “No”, theaforementioned action is attempted n number of times (step S₄),whereupon ejection occurs (step S₄′) and “NG” is displayed (S₄″).

The leader block 12 is carried by the tape carrying mechanism 11 alongthe cam groove 19 of the guide rail 23. During this process, the outputof the FG 52C is checked to detect whether the rotation of the tape reel410 of the tape cartridge 4 is normally conducted or not (detection ofreversed or stopped reel rotation) (step S₅). When the rotation isnormally conducted, the leader block 12 is continuously carried untilreaching the takeup reel 3 end (Step S₆). If the rotation of the tapereel 410 of the tape cartridge 4 is not normal, tape is deliberatelywound back as the carrying mechanism 11 and the carrying section 13 arereversed (step S₇). The winding back process is repeatedly attempted nnumber of times while the reel FG output is monitored (step S₈). Afterthe termination of trials, ejected (step S₉) and “NG” is displayed (stepS₉′).

When the leader block 12 is carried to the takeup reel 3 end, the topthe press section 29 a of the support 29, on the chucking pin 27 in thechucking mechanism 14, meets the bottom side of the press surface 34 aon the chucking release lever 34 on the takeup reel 3 end, that is, in amanner symmetrical to the situation shown in FIG. 7; is pushed downwardby the downward move of the chucking release lever 34; and the chuckingof the leader block 12 is released (step S₆). Simultaneously, T-sidesensor 45 of the takeup reel 3 end, detects the completion of carryingthe leader block 12 (step S₁₀). The release is detected by the chuckingsensor 61 of T-side, that is the takeup reel 3 end, thereby the processbeing terminated (step S₁₁).

If the chucking of the leader block 12 is not released, chucking releaseattempt is repeated n number of times (step S₁₂). If chucking release isunsuccessful, the leader block 12 is reversely carried by the carryingmechanism 11 (step S₁₃); the reel FG output is detected whether it isnormal or not (step S₁₄), and if the reel FG output is normal, thecarrying process is terminated and detected by the S-end sensor 44 as aterminated process (step S₁₅). If the carrying process is notterminated, the process is repeated n number of times (step S₁₆). Ifrepeated attempts are still unsuccessful, “NG” is displayed (step S₁₇).

In step S₁₅, if the completed carrying process for the leader block 12is detected by the S-end sensor 44, which is on the tape cartridge 4end; the carrying section 13 of the carrying mechanism 11 is returned,and also which is detected by the chucking sensor 62 on the S-endsensor, which is the cartridge 4 end (Step S₁₅′); loading attempts arerepeated (step S₁₈); but still the status is NG, ejection occurs (stepS₁₉) and “NG” is displayed (step S₁₉′).

In step S₁₄, if the reel FG output is other than normal, the carryingmechanism is reversely moved (step S₂₀) and chucking is released (stepS₂₁), and upon completion thereof, the cartridge 4 is deliberatelyejected (step S₂₂). If the reversed carrying mechanism operation torelease the chucking cannot be completed, reversed carrying mechanismoperation for the leader block is attempted n number of times (stepS₂₀′), and carrying back the leader block 12 by the carrying mechanism11 (Step S₁₃′). If repeated attempts are unsuccessful, “NG” is displayed(step S₂₁′). If an error occurs in returning the carrying mechanism atthe termination of ejection (step S₂₃), “NG” is displayed (step S₂₄). Ifthe ejection cannot be terminated in Step S₂₃, attempts are repeated nnumber of times (step S₂₅). If no attempts for ejection are yetsuccessful, “NG” is displayed (step S₂₆).

An explanation of an unloading process follows with reference to FIG.27.

The tape unloading process is the same as the tape loading process inthe foregoing, but in reverse. The chucking release lever 34, pushingdown the leader block 12, which is being carried to the takeup reel 3end, is released by the same action of the chucking pin 27 of thechucking member 25 in the chucking mechanism 14, as shown in FIGS. 3 and6. The chucking pin 27 is forced upward such that the engaging flange 28engages with the positioning step 12 d of the engaging section 12 a ofthe leader block 12; to chuck the leader block 12 (step S₃₁). Here, thetakeup reel 3 is positioned as required to allow the release of theengagement with the leader block 12 by means of the output signal of thereel angle detection sensor 54.

The chucked status of the leader block 12 is detected by the chucksensor 61 (step S₃₂). If a chucked status “Yes” is returned, the leaderblock 12 is reversely carried by the carrying section 13 of the carryingmechanism 11 (step S₃₃). If a chucked status “No” is returned, theforegoing process is attempted n number of times (step S₃₄).

In reversely carrying the leader block 12 in step₃₃, the FG 52C outputis used to determine whether the rotation of the reel 410 in thecartridge 4 is normal or not (step S₃₅). In step 534, unsuccessfulrepeated attempts to chuck the leader block 12 results in “NG” display(step S₃₆).

After the S-end sensor 44 detects the completion of the reverse carryingof the leader block 12 (step S₃₇), and after the chuck sensor 62 detectsthe chucking release of the leader block 12 (step S₃₇′), the tapecartridge is ejected (step S₃₈). The completion of the ejection (stepS₃₉) terminates the unloading process.

In step S₃₅, if the output of the FG 52C is other than normal, after thecompletion of reversed carrying mechanism operation (step S₄₀) andchucking release (step S₄₁), the cartridge 4 is deliberately ejected(step S₄₂) and on the completed ejection (step S₄₃), “NG” is displayed(step S₄₄). In step S₄₀ or S₄₁, if the reversed carrying mechanismoperation or chucking release is not completed after repeated attemptsfor n number of times (step S₅₂), “NG” is displayed (step S₅₃).

In step S₄₃, if the ejection cannot be completed, and it is attempted nnumber of times (step S₄₆). If a repeated attempt is successful andejection is completed, “NG” is displayed (Step S₄₇).

In step S₃₇′, if the reversed carrying operation or chucking releasecannot be completed, the reversed carrying is attempted n number oftimes (step S₄₈), and “NG” is displayed on a successful termination ofreversed carrying (step S₄₉). If the ejection of the cartridge 4 is notterminated in step S₃₉, attempts are made n number of times (step S₅₀).If the ejection cannot be terminated by repeated attempts, “NG” isdisplayed (step S₅₁).

As described above, the magnetic tape T stored in the tape cartridge 4is loaded and unloaded.

The embodiment of the present invention is heretofore described,however, the present invention is not limited to the configuration ofthe particular embodiment as described, but may be modified in variousways within the purport of the invention.

For instance, the members of configuration are not limited to thoseillustrated, but may be any configuration that would offer workings ofthe same kinds.

The present invention is not limited to the helically scanned tape driveapparatus, but may also be applied to the fixed-head tape driveapparatus.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A tape cartridge, comprising: a leader blockprovided on one end of a magnetic tape; a tape reel for winding up amagnetic tape with said leader block provided at one end; and acartridge unit that rotatably stores said tape reel with an openingwhich exposes part of said leader block to the outside; wherein saidleader block includes an engaging section engaged with an engaging shaftof a tape extraction member, and a rotation restriction section whichrestricts the rotation of said leader block with respect to the engagingshaft, is disposed on at least one end of the engaging section.
 11. Thetape cartridge according to claim 10, wherein a positioning groove,which guides the leader block to be inserted into the cartridge, anddetermines the position thereof, is provided on said leader block. 12.The tape cartridge according to claim 10, wherein a positioning groove,which guides the leader block to be inserted into the takeup reel, anddetermines the position thereof, is provided on said leader block. 13.The tape cartridge according to claim 10, wherein said leader blockcomprises an engaging depression section disposed thereon to be engagedwith an engaging protrusion section disposed on a leader block presspiece of the tape cartridge.
 14. The tape cartridge according to claim10, wherein said leader block comprises an engaging depression sectiondisposed thereon to be engaged with an engaging protrusion sectiondisposed on the takeup reel.